Debbie Castiller
Raleigh
Summary
With nearly 20 years of nursing experience in the field, I was and always will be a conscientious nurse. Known for excellent bedside manner and efficient communication with colleagues. Knowledgeable in standard medical diagnoses and OR equipment. I'm a proactive Operating Room Staff Nurse with reputation for making valuable observations and contributions to healthcare staff teams. Skilled in monitoring emotional and physical wellness of patients to ensure comfort. Highly organized and adept at time management. I am an additional asset by being able to perform basic Scrub Nurse responsibilities as well. Using these experiences I have gained during my career, I come to you with the willingness to learn new skills as a clinical nurse in the pre/post cath 1HV department.
For 2 years prior to transferring into the operating room, I was a structured Medical Surgical Nurse on a telemetry department, known for coordinating successful care plans through consulting with healthcare team members. A dependable individual capable of prioritizing nursing tasks and determining appropriate interventions. Diligent Nursing professional with demonstrated success in patient care, and with written positive reviews online. Agile and responsive to dynamic patient needs and environmental conditions. Team-oriented and reliable with expert healthcare knowledge, clear verbal and written communication skills and sound clinical judgment. I am quick to learn and pick up new skills.
Overview
24
24
years of professional experience
1
1
Certification
Work History
Heart and Vascular Prep Nurse (CN2)
UNC-REX Hospital
10.2023 - Current
- Reduced complications for patients undergoing surgery by providing thorough pre-operative assessments and education.
- Enhanced patient care by implementing evidence-based nursing practices and protocols.
- Reduced medication errors through thorough double-checking of prescriptions and dosages.
- Improved patient satisfaction ratings by delivering compassionate and personalized care.
- Provided emotional support and well informed guidance to patients and families during the preparatory process, fostering trust and rapport.
- Collaborated with interdisciplinary teams for optimized patient treatment plans and outcomes.
- Promoted a safe and comfortable healing environment by addressing patient concerns promptly and professionally.
- Streamlined communication between patients, families, and healthcare providers to ensure comprehensive understanding of care plans.
Operating Room/PACU/Plastic Surgery Clinical Nurse
The Plastic Surgery Center At Blue Water Spa
08.2020 - Current
- Kept count of all surgical instruments and sponges used during operations and procedures.
- Monitored surgical patients and delivered quality level of care before, during and after operations to promote positive outcomes.
- Performed preoperative assessments on patients and evaluated overall health.
- Collaborated with members of patients' healthcare team to deliver appropriate level of care.
- Assessed team members' workloads and pitched in to help in areas where need was most evident.
- Communicated with patient and his or her family regarding postoperative and wound care.
- Educated patients and families on illnesses, medications and treatment plans.
- Collected, labeled and transported specimens and delivered to lab for testing.
- Trained new nurses in proper techniques, care standards, operational procedures, and safety protocols.
- Provided effective bedside care to patients before and after procedures to deliver comfort.
- Educated family members and caregivers on patient care instructions.
- Documented treatments delivered, medications and IVs administered, discharge instructions, and follow-up care.
- Explained course of care and medication side effects to patients and caregivers in easy-to-understand terms.
- Followed all personal and health data procedures to effectively comply with HIPAA laws and prevent information breaches.
School Nurse Extraordinaire
The Franciscan School-Diocese Of Raleigh, NC
08.2021 - 05.2023
- Managed time efficiently in order to complete all tasks within deadlines.
- Adaptable and proficient in learning new concepts quickly and efficiently.
- Used critical thinking to break down problems, evaluate solutions and make decisions.
- Identified issues, analyzed information and provided solutions to problems.
- Most importantly, able to adapt to the students' needs of various age groups.
Operating Room/PACU/Plastic Surgery Clinical Nurse
Tannan Plastic Surgery
07.2019 - 04.2020
- Devoted special emphasis to punctuality and worked to maintain outstanding attendance record, consistently arriving to work ready to start immediately
- Maintained patient records and ensured patient privacy and clinical compliance
- Ordered lab tests and maintained patient records
- Managed care for post-operative patients from initial recovery through discharge
- Evaluated patient progress and responses to various treatments
- Worked with patients to understand needs and provide appropriate cosmetic services, which includes Breast Augmentation, Abdominoplasty, Breast Reductions, Facelifts, and Chemical Peels
- Equipped patients with tools and knowledge needed for speedy and sustained recovery
Operating Room Registered Nurse
UNC-REX Cary
11.2016 - 04.2017
- Assessed team members' workloads and pitched in to help in areas where need was most evident.
- Observed surgeon's body language, movements and demeanor during operations to efficiently anticipate needs.
- Prepared OR by ensuring it met asepsis standards, as well as setting out, organizing and counting all tools and equipment necessary for each procedure.
- Verified patient information such as name, dob and allergies to ensure licensed staff was aware of all relevant health factors and that correct individuals received correct care.
- Collected blood, tissue and other laboratory specimens and prepared for lab testing.
- Observed and reported patient condition, progress and medication side effects to accurately document updates.
O. R. Registered Nurse
UNC-REX Main Campus (OR West)
03.2010 - 07.2012
- Partnered with team of registered nurses to achieve overall well-being of all patients.
- Coordinated nursing care to be carried out according to facility guidelines and regulations.
- Observed the surgeon's body language, movements and demeanor during operations to efficiently anticipate needs.
- Provided direct support to the surgical team during procedures by anticipating needs of the surgeon, scrub nurse and the anesthesia team, retrieving any requested instruments not in the room already, and retrieving any requested equipments needed to provide the maximum patient care.
- Verified patient information such as Patient ID, medical records, and proper site identification to ensure licensed staff was aware of all relevant health factors and that the correct individuals received the correct care.
- Used Epic to process patient information and ensure access to relevant data for licensed practitioners.
- Collected, labeled and transported specimens and delivered to the lab for testing.
- Prepared the OR by ensuring it met asepsis standards, as well as setting out, organizing and counting all tools and equipment necessary for each procedure.
- Collaborated with all members of a patient's healthcare team to ensure the proper and appropriate level of care.
- Continually improved knowledge, skills and performance based on feedback and self-identified professional developmental needs.
- Provided patient education.
O. R. Registered Nurse
ProHealth Ambulatory Surgery Center
01.2005 - 07.2007
- Partnered with team of registered nurses to achieve overall well-being of all patients.
- Coordinated nursing care to be carried out according to facility guidelines and regulations.
- Administered medications as prescribed and checked for any contradictions or any potential complications that the nursing staff needed to be aware of.
- Provided direct support to the surgical team during procedures by assisting in the procedure, circulating in the room and anticipating the needs of the surgeon and the team to ensure a safe environment for the patient.
- Collected, labeled and transported specimens and delivered to the lab for testing.
- Assessed team members' workloads and pitched in to help in areas where need was most evident.
- Prepared the OR by ensuring it met asepsis standards, as well as setting out, organizing and counting all tools and equipment necessary for each procedure.
- Certified that equipment and supplies were properly maintained for quality patient care and safety.
- Participated in unit-based Quality Assurance Program.
- Documented patient information obtained from interviews.
- Created and maintained computerized record management systems to record and process data and generate reports.
- Contributed substantially to successful department JCAHO accreditation.
- Collected blood, tissue and other laboratory specimens and prepared for lab testing.
Registered Nurse
Winthrop University Hospital - Ambulatory Surgery Unit
09.2001 - 01.2005
- Coordinated with other healthcare professionals to assess, plan and implement patient care plans.
- Collaborated with all members of a patient's healthcare team to ensure the proper and appropriate level of care.
- Observed the surgeon's body language, movements and demeanor during operations to efficiently anticipate needs.
- Prepared the OR by ensuring it met asepsis standards, as well as setting out, organizing and counting all tools and equipment necessary for each procedure.
- Assessed team members' workloads and pitched in to help in areas where need was most evident.
- Contributed substantially to successful department JCAHO accreditation.
- Participated in unit-based Quality Assurance Program.
- Assisted doctors with surgeries and non-invasive procedures.
Telemetry Registered Nurse
Winthrop University Hospital
02.2001 - 09.2001
- Ensured efficacy of treatments through monitoring of treatment regimens.
- Maintained accountability for controlled narcotics and distributed medication on schedule.
- Partnered with team of registered nurses to achieve overall well-being of all patients.
- Developed patient care plans, including assessments, evaluations and nursing diagnoses.
- Utilized specialized equipment to track and monitor patients' vital signs in the telemetry unit.
- Provided skilled emergency response in critical situations.
- Scheduled patient admissions and discharges.
- Observed patient health and side effects from treatments and medications, noting all details in patient chart.
- Administered heart and blood pressure medication to cardiac patients as prescribed by physicians.
- Instructed patients and family members on proper discharge care.
- Followed all policies and procedures and hospital regulations to ensure compliance and patient safety.
- Interviewed patients to obtain medical information, weight and height measurements and vital signs.
- Performed vitals/glucose testing and assisted in administering injections and urinalysis.
- Confidently managed the overall operation of nursing services and patient care, including financial management, quality assurance, patient care, safety risk management, teammate satisfaction, quality index scores and facility maintenance.
- Took and recorded patients' temperature, pulse and blood pressure.
Telemetry Registered Nurse
North Shore-LIJ Health System (Huntington)
01.2000 - 01.2001
- Developed patient care plans, including assessments, evaluations and nursing diagnoses.
- Observed patient health and side effects from treatments and medications, noting all details in patient chart.
- Ensured efficacy of treatments through monitoring of treatment regimens.
- Followed all policies and procedures and hospital regulations to ensure compliance and patient safety.
- Utilized specialized equipment to track and monitor patients' vital signs in the telemetry-cardiac unit.
- Developed and implemented nursing care plans.
- Administered heart and blood pressure medication to cardiac patients as prescribed by physicians.
- Provided skilled emergency response in critical situations.
- Scheduled patient admissions and discharges.
- Instructed patients and family members on proper discharge care.
- Provided patients with information on such subjects as side effects from medications and the benefits of proper nutrition to help promote better outcomes.
- Maintained accountability for controlled narcotics and distributed medication on schedule.
- Reviewed and revised patient care plans.
- Achieved high staff morale and retention through effective communication, prompt problem resolution, proactive supervisory practices and facilitating a proactive work environment.
- Accurately documented all elements of nursing assessment, treatments, medications, discharge instructions, and follow-up care.
- Collected blood, tissue and other laboratory specimens and prepared for lab testing.
- Performed vitals/glucose testing and assisted in administering injections and urinalysis.
- Implemented necessary changes based on evaluation of staffing requirements and floor assignments.
- Documented patient information obtained from interviews.
- Contributed substantially to successful department JCAHO accreditation.
Education
Bachelor Of Science In Nursing - undefined
University of Santo Tomas College of Nursing
Manila, Philippines1999
Skills
- Surgical patient Care
- Intravenous therapy
- Catheter insertion and removal
- One-on-one instruction
- Confidential case documentation
- Patient and family advocacy
- Data collection and management
- Foley catheters
- Fluent in Tagalog and Ilonggo
- Professional bedside manner
- Patient-focused care
Accomplishments
- Quality Assurance
Ensured and enforced medical office compliance with HIPAA, OSHA and JCAHO regulations for maximum quality and control. - Patient Advocacy
Explained treatment procedures, medication risks, special diets and physician instructions to patients. - Participated in community outreach events like Blood Glucose and Cholesterol Screening.
Certification
- Registered Nurse in NC, License # 221220
- BLS and ACLS certified
Tennis, Yoga and Running
The years I took off from my nursing practice, I stayed home to take care of my 3 young children. During that time, I earned my yoga teaching certification and license. I decided to open my own yoga studio in NY and became an entrepreneur. I closed the studio after our family decided to move back to Raleigh, NC. I have completed two half-marathons, The City of Oaks and Tobacco Trail, now I can't run from one stop sign to another. I currently enjoy playing tennis in my spare time.
Timeline
Heart and Vascular Prep Nurse (CN2)
UNC-REX Hospital
10.2023 - Current
School Nurse Extraordinaire
The Franciscan School-Diocese Of Raleigh, NC
08.2021 - 05.2023
Operating Room/PACU/Plastic Surgery Clinical Nurse
The Plastic Surgery Center At Blue Water Spa
08.2020 - Current
Operating Room/PACU/Plastic Surgery Clinical Nurse
Tannan Plastic Surgery
07.2019 - 04.2020
Operating Room Registered Nurse
UNC-REX Cary
11.2016 - 04.2017
O. R. Registered Nurse
UNC-REX Main Campus (OR West)
03.2010 - 07.2012
O. R. Registered Nurse
ProHealth Ambulatory Surgery Center
01.2005 - 07.2007
Registered Nurse
Winthrop University Hospital - Ambulatory Surgery Unit
09.2001 - 01.2005
Telemetry Registered Nurse
Winthrop University Hospital
02.2001 - 09.2001
Telemetry Registered Nurse
North Shore-LIJ Health System (Huntington)
01.2000 - 01.2001
Bachelor Of Science In Nursing - undefined
University of Santo Tomas College of Nursing
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